Monday, 1 June 2015

It's Monday...and it's Winter!

Whilst browsing twitter this weekend, I spotted a comment from Sarah (@Sarah Reads Too Much) about joining in #20booksofsummer at Cathy @746 Books.

I love these kinds of challenges even though I usually fail them abysmally!

For instance, I challenged myself to read a selection of cosy autumnal books back in March. I only had 10 books on the list...and sadly, I only read one of them...and that ended up being a DNF! But I still have a week to go before that list officially finishes - perhaps I will knock over one more title in that time (ba ha ha!!)

So why am I drawn to writing up lists and challenges that I so often fail?

Why do I love making a list and a deadline only to watch them go sailing by?

My eagerness to join in Cathy's challenge has got me wondering and thinking.

What is it that makes lists, especially book lists, so attractive to me?

I've decide there are multiple factors at play.

My TBR pile is seriously out of control. Making lists helps me feel virtuous about addressing this problem. I feel a sense of power as I create order out of chaos!

Going through my stacks to compile the lists also helps me to rediscover what lovely surprises are lurking at the bottom. The occasional dead cockroach is not such a lovely surprise though!

I love crossing things off my lists. The sense of accomplishment with each tick is intoxicating. Being able to run a huge line through a completed list is heady stuff indeed (yeah, I know, I probably need to get out more!)

Finally, book lists have become a very cyber-social thing ever since I started blogging. I love being in a community of fellow bookoholics and listographers. I always end up adding to my wishlist (another list!) with every list challenge I read.

So here I go again with another book list (& a quickly devised Southern Hemisphere badge of moi rugged up for last winter).

Obviously I live on the other side of the world & in a different hemisphere to Cathy and Sarah. So my list has been retitled #20booksofwinter for any fellow Aussie, NZ-er's, Polynesian, South African, South American, Antartican bloggers out there.

Since the main aim of this list is to be practical and do-able. I will start with those books already half-started (or is that half-finished?)

I do like a list as you know. Reading within a relatively short timespan is more difficult, but I like this idea. I think I'll try for 20 CBCA shortlisted books for the winter. I'm not sure that I'll get there. But perhaps it will help me get over 10... You've picked an interesting mix of 20 books.

Part A of my brain: You *never* stick to your lists.Part B: Oh, shush. It's three months and it'll be fun! Look at all the great books on this list. Aren't you excited?!Part A: You forgot Super Awesome Book that you bought last month.Part B: What?Part A: Super Awesome Book that you were dying to read. Last month.Part B: Well, I'm sure I have time to read it before I dip into the list...Part A: *is smug*

Life without a list is like cake without chocolate! Just popping in to say hi to a fellow challenger. I've only read two from your list - Emma and Watership Down, so looking forward to reading your reviews of the rest - or whatever else you end up reading instead!

I love book lists too and have added quite a few books to my TBR due to reading all the great book blogs like this one. Lists help me to feel a little more in control. Anything arranged in an orderly fashion does that for me, especially since it is such a huge accomplishment to get my messes in order. I also find great satisfaction in crossing things off a list. I think I will look into the 20 Books of Summer thing.

Don't know if I'll take the time to create this list, simply because I'm already behind with the reading projects to which I've already committed! But I do love lists. I have been working to create more of them on my blog 'cause I think it sometimes helps others become acquainted with more books when they're listed in multiple listings...if that makes sense! :) I am unfamiliar with many on this list and will look forward to your reviews, as always! :) Happy reading and listing!

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